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Are you in Minnesota and looking for something fun to do with your family? Do you have guests coming to town and want to try something new and unique? Well, I’ve got you!
Here are 24 family-friendly places for fun around Twin Cities:
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1. Science Museum of Minnesota
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This museum in downtown St. Paul features hands-on exhibits, an Omnitheater, and interactive activities that are both educational and entertaining for kids. My boys and I LOVED it!
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2. Nickelodeon Universe
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Inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the United States, offering rides for all ages. I love that you can PAY PER RIDE – or get an all-day pass.
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3. Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store
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This is a GIANT store in Jordan, MN that not only sells every kind of candy you can imagine, but popcorn, pie, soda, meat and cheese! There is so much to see inside this store, your family will love it. Come for the candy store, or make it a day of adventure.
Click here to read my post about our day in Jordan.
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4. Mill City Museum
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Learn about the history of Minneapolis and its flour milling industry at the Mill City Museum, which offers interactive exhibits and a chance to explore the ruins of a historic flour mill.
Click here for a peek into our visit to the Mill City Museum.
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5. Minnesota Children’s Museum
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Located in downtown St. Paul, the Minnesota Children’s Museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to engage children’s curiosity and creativity. All four of my kids enjoyed visiting this museum and want to go back.
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6. Minnehaha Falls
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Enjoy the outdoors by visiting Minnehaha Falls – you’ll find a scenic waterfall, a hiking trail, swimming spots, and lots of space for exploring. Bring extra clothes or wear some that can get wet or muddy.
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7. The Bakken Museum
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This museum in Minneapolis focuses on electricity and magnetism, offering hands-on exhibits and demonstrations that are both fun and educational for kids.
Here’s a peek into our visit with more info!
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8. Fort Snelling State Park
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Explore nature and history at Fort Snelling State Park, where you can hike, bike, picnic, and learn about the military history of the area. Here’s a peek into our visit to the Fort.
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9. Minnesota History Center
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This museum, located in St. Paul, explores the history and culture of Minnesota through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It’s a great place to learn about our state’s past. My kids and I loved our time in this museum and leaned so much in the ‘hands on’ exhibits!
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10. Sky zone/Urban Air
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Jump and play the day away!
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11. Eloise Butler Garden
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Founded in 1907, the Wildflower Garden is the oldest public native plant garden in the United States. This area has a beautiful walking path through the grounds.
Click here a peek into our fun day at Eloise.
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12. Tactical Urban Combat
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The world’s largest indoor nerf and laser tag battle ground. My boys LOVED this experience!
Here’s a peek into our visit with all the details.
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13. Crayola Experience
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Bursting with more than 20 hands-on activities, this one-of-a-kind family attraction is where color, chemistry and technology combine to create a colorful adventure for a child’s imagination. Name and wrap your own crayon, create a coloring page with YOU in it, bring your art to life in 4-D and so much more! Perfect for a day of family fun.
All four of my kids had a GREAT time! Click here for a peek into our visit.
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14. Roller Skate at Skateville
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My children (and inner child) had the BEST time rolling around Skateville! It was good exercise and just SO much fun!
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15. Bell Museum
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Located in St. Paul, Bell Museum is a place kids can explore science, nature and history. You will find a geology exploration area, solar station, and an area with snakeskins, animal pelts, and bones, rocks and fossils. They have a planetarium and really cool life-size dioramas.
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16. Museum of Illusions: A mind-bending fun house
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The Museum of Illusions, located just below the food court in the Mall of America, is a must-visit! My kids and I were captivated by the hands-on, mind-bending exhibits—perfect for amazing photos and endless laughs. It’s a fun, educational experience for all ages. Even the gift shop is stocked with interactive toys and reasonably priced products.
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17. American Swedish Institute
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This museum celebrates Swedish-American culture through art, exhibits, and programming. It’s housed in a stunning, historic mansion and includes a cafe serving Nordic cuisine. Click here to read about my visit.
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18. Fly Over America
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We LOVED flying over the US! I wish it lasted longer.
Here’s a peek into our visit with more pictures and details.
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19. Lake Harriet
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Take a walk around Lake Harriet, play on the Beard’s Plaisance playground, have lunch at George and the Dragon or Broder’s Pasta Bar, then visit Wild Rumpus book store.
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20. Como Zoo
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In St. Paul, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free to enter and features a zoo with animals from around the world, as well as a conservatory with beautiful gardens.
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21. Fawndoerosa
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This place is just across the Wisconsin border, but deserves to be on the list! It’s an amazing park where deer and other animals roam free for you to pet and feed. Make a day of it and stop by the Franconia Sculpture Garden and Taylor Falls.
Click here to read about our visit.
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22. Conquer Ninja Gym
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Conquer Ninja Gym is offers ninja training and an obstacle course for ages five and up.
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23. The Arboretum
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My kids weren’t super excited about a visit to the Arboretum, but I wanted to go, so I created a challenge for them. “Whoever can capture the BEST picture will win $1.” My boys are always up for a contest and it PAID OFF (no pun intended). They enjoyed trying to capture the BEST picture and I enjoyed the BEAUTY all around.
New this year: educational and fun Discovery Booths, featuring a different theme each month. Drop in between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, May 2 through Oct. 27, for a variety of hands-on activities.
Visitors age 15 and under get in free!
Click here to read more about our visit and to see their pictures.
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24. Sea Life Aquarium
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SEA LIFE is the Minnesota’s largest aquarium. My boys and I enjoyed walking through a tunnel of sharks and getting to pet a few sea creatures.
Here’s a peek into our visit, which includes more pictures and more info.
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Though I’ve given you 24 options, Minneapolis and its surrounding areas have a wealth of activities to offer families with children.
- Which place do you plan to visit?
- Do you have a favorite?
Please let me know by leaving a comment. (Click that little box by the title of this post)
Thanks for reading and I’d love for you to subscribe.
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Click here for 55 fun THINGS TO DO with your kids this summer.
Check out my Minnesota Bucket List for more ideas!
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